Jammed: Full into Capacity

Wi-Fi networking is said to be one of the most liberating technologies to have come out of the hi-tech revolution because it allows everyone’s access to the internet. Lately, this technology stokes public opinion because of it’s hazards on health.

Mr. Fred Gilbert, a university president at Canada’s Lakehead University disallowed installation of wi-fi network at the campus because of this particular concern. He is worried about the health impact of the 2.4Ghz radio waves used by wireless networks. He believes that microwave radiation in the frequency range of wi-fi has been shown to increase permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cause behavioural changes, alter cognitive functions, activate a stress response, interfere with brain waves, cell growth, cell communication, calcium ion balance, etc., and cause single and double strand DNA breaks. Source: BBC News

A lot of campaigning organizations, pressure groups and ill-informed individuals also oppose the setting up of wireless networks for its “health dangers”.

Sufferers report headaches, nausea, stomach upsets, tinnitus, brain fog and short-term memory among the symptoms.. Skeptics, however, suspect that blaming electoromagnetic field sensitivity for their ills amounts to an easy answer to almost any medical problem. While some groups focus on nonspecific symptoms, others claim links to more severe conditions such as cancer.

But should the wi-fi revolution give us worries? Scientists say “no”. These scare stories have no scientific basis.

There is no evidence that electromagnetic radiation at radio frequencies, where the energy levels are too low to dislodge electrons and affect molecular bonding, can cause health effects except by heating tissues.

While those who want to limit the use of wi-fi argue that they need evidence that is it safe, the problem with trying to prove that something is safe is that you can’t.

Karl Popper, the great philosopher of science, helped us to understand that science is about falsification, about setting up hypotheses and theories and proving them wrong, because you can never prove them right.

Any theory can be overturned by new evidence, and any claim that wireless networks are completely safe could be thrown out tomorrow if we find good evidence that it isn’t.

We may come up with a hitherto unsuspected mechanism that explains a previously disregarded effect, or the evidence may be statistical and require detailed investigation.

Were that to happen we should take it seriously, but it has not happened and there is no reason to believe it will.

The precautionary principle, of avoiding exposure to unnecessary risk, does not apply here because there is no known mechanism by which wireless networks could cause damage.

Scientists recognize the dangers of high-frequency ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays unleashed by nuclear fallout. Non-ionizing radiation, however, such as Wi-Fi signals, cellular networks, television broadcasts and visible light, cannot break down atomic bonds and has long been considered safe.

“The fields that are induced by Wi-Fi transmissions are well below those that could cause problems to humans,” said Chris Guy, head of The University of Reading’s School of Systems Engineering. “The maximum power that is allowed to be transmitted by any Wi-Fi unit is one-tenth of a watt.”

EMF sensitivity advocates, however, believe studies reveal that even these low-frequency, low-power fields can cause subtle damage to human tissue, citing evidence of cell death, faster-growing tumors and DNA damage. Source: Wired.com

Related Post

• Coffee: Benefits and Risks
• Menstrual blood as source of stem cells?
• How can you prevent acne? (Simple Tips)
• Health Tips on Preserving Your Mind and Boosting Your Memory
• Did You Know: The Seven Great Medical Myths
• New Symptoms for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer
• The new ‘plastic’ blood
• 10 Ways to Secure your Computer System
• Globelines, Smart Bro or PLDT MyDSL?
• Did You Know: Text messages can make you quit smoking!
• How to Tweak Windows XP For A Faster PC
• Food supplements that lower blood pressure
• How to Evaluate the Medical Information on the Web
• Campaign ads on your cellphone
• Will Pricking a Stroke Patient Help Him Regain Consciousness?
• Tips on how to stay safe on social network sites
• New site again
• Why are the Filipinos still unhappy?
• Laser printers pose health risk
• Did You Know: Sitting up straight can strain your back

Spread the word